Wick breaks single-season homer record in win
STATE COLLEGE, PA - In his 19th game with the State College Spikes, Rowan Wick broke the club's single-season home-run record with his 11th blast of the season, and the Spikes defeated the Batavia Muckdogs, 9-3, on Wednesday night at Dwyer Stadium.
Wick's three-run shot in the eighth inning broke the record set by David Washington, who hit 10 home runs over the 72 regular season games he played in just last year. Prior to Washington, no Spike had hit more than eight home runs in a year.
The North Vancouver, BC native took the first pitch he saw from Batavia (12-7) reliever Connor Overton deep over the right-field wall. It was Wick's third home run of the year against the Muckdogs, and his second of the year at Dwyer Stadium.
Earlier on Wednesday, Wick received the St. Louis Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Month award for June. The Spikes slugger was also named New York-Penn League Player of the Week for the week ending June 22.
Wick's record-breaking effort spearheaded a big night for the Spikes (12-7), who jumped back into a tie for the NYPL Pinckney Division lead with the win. Alex De Leon hit his fifth home run of the season, and his fourth at Dwyer Stadium, in the fifth inning. De Leon's two-run dinger scored Nick Thompson and made the score 5-2.
Thompson went 2-for-3 with a double and scored three State College runs. Collin Radack also collected a pair of hits with an RBI double for the Spikes.
Jeff Rauh (1-0) earned his first win of the year for State College with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of middle relief. Rauh gave up one hit and one walk while striking out two batters in the victory.
Spikes starter Fernando Baez fell two outs shy of the requirement for a win, as he allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings. Baez struck out five batters. Jacob Boodentossed two shutout frames of relief, striking out four over the seventh and eighth innings.
Batavia starter Ben Holmes (0-1), who made his professional debut on Wednesday, took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits over the first two innings. Holmes, the Marlins' ninth-round draft choice this year, also recorded three strikeouts.
Ryan Cranmer and Mason Davis each produced a solo home run for the Muckdogs. Cramner's came in the fifth inning, while Davis completed the scoring with his shot in the ninth.
Thursday, the Spikes and Muckdogs complete their three-game series at Dwyer Stadium with a 7:05 rubber match. State College will send right-hander Daniel Poncedeleon (1-0), the Cardinals' 2014 ninth-round draft choice, to the mound. Batavia is slated to start with right-hander Jorgan Cavanerio (1-0) on the hill. The winner of Thursday's game will take sole possession of first place in the Pinckney Division.
Friday, the Spikes return home to start a three-game series against the Jamestown Jammers (Pittsburgh Pirates) on the Fourth of July with a 1 p.m. afternoon start at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Fans will enjoy a Salute to America, Baseball and Apple Pie as they begin the holiday at the ballpark. The first 100 fans will receive a free apple pie from McDonald's, and fans will also receive coupons good for a free apple pie with any purchase at a local McDonald's restaurant.
In addition, it's a 4 for $44 Friday, presented by TGI Fridays and MAJIC 99, with four Diamond Club seats, four hot dogs and four small sodas available for just $44, and additional packages available for $11 each.
Kids can run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc., and the first 100 kids aged 12 and under to visit Geisinger Careworks locations at the Weis Plaza in Bellefonte or the Best Buy Plaza in State College will receive FREE tickets on a Geisinger Careworks Kids FREE Friday.
Fans will also enjoy an acoustic performance from Sgt. Bob, and fans using their Penn State Alumni Association Credit Card can receive a $3 ticket discount at the Box Office.
Friday begins a big Fourth of July Weekend at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with a Spikes Hat Giveaway presented by Lion Country Kia to the first 1,000 fans, on Saturday, as well as the Lion Country Kia Dice Roll that will allow one fan to roll for the chance at a new Kia.
Sunday will be Military Appreciation Night at the park, presented by Beer Belly's, with FIREWORKS after the game presented by the PA Lottery and ESPN Radio 1450. It's also a Kids Day at the park, presented by First National Bank, with kids able to eat and play for free thanks to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.
Tickets for all three games this Fourth of July Weekend, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2014 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.
Catch all of the action on Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Dwyer Stadium. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.
Spikes fans can also catch live coverage of Friday's Fourth of July game against the Jammers onWHVL-TV beginning at 1 p.m. Check WHVL.com to find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.